Anthony Watson named assistant vice president for facilities operations
Anthony Watson has been named assistant vice president for facilities operations, one of four business lines within Virginia Tech’s Division of Facilities. Watson assumes this role following a recent reorganization of the division for a renewed emphasis and commitment to stewardship, care, and service, which extends across all the university’s campuses, sites, and community members.
A New River Valley native, Watson has dedicated 35 years of service to Virginia Tech. Joining the Division of Facilities in 1989 as an apprentice carpenter, he was promoted to carpenter in 1993. Watson has held numerous key roles including superintendent of the carpentry shop, superintendent of building trades, director of buildings and grounds, director of facilities operations and deputy to the assistant vice president, and interim assistant vice president for facilities operations.
Facilities Operations supports Virginia Tech’s strategic initiatives through the care and maintenance of buildings, electrical/mechanical systems, and grounds, fostering a reliable, efficient, functional, and beautiful setting for education and research.
Leading a team of approximately 300 people, Watson will be responsible for coordinating university efforts to ensure buildings and grounds consistently demonstrate the sense of place and quality intrinsic to Virginia Tech. These efforts include promoting a culture of exceptional and transparent customer service, orchestrating the exceptional delivery of maintenance, grounds, and custodial services, and ensuring effective stewardship of resources.
Over the past three and a half decades, Watson’s personal influence and common sense approach have extended to all areas of the university. When solutions are needed, he is a "go to" around the entire campus.
When bad weather arrives, Watson oversees campus preparations and cleanup response. His teams plow roads, loading docks, and service drives in 12-hour shifts. Sidewalks, stairs, parking lots, and streets are also treated with a salt brine solution obtained from the tanks at the on-campus power plant. Over a dozen utility task vehicles, tractors, and skid steers are deployed to help clear main sidewalks. All this to keep the campus safe and fully operational.
When President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush visited Virginia Tech on April 17, 2007 - one day after 32 students and faculty members were tragically taken from their loved ones and our community - it was Watson who was entrusted to work closely with the Secret Service to plan and accommodate the visit. In 2012, he worked with the Secret Service again, coordinating First Lady Michelle Obama's visit to campus to address graduates at the Spring University Commencement ceremony.
In 2020, Watson was awarded the President’s Award for Excellence for his utility, proactivity, and adaptability in leading critical campus operations. His deeply contextual and proactive leadership proved invaluable as the campus scaled operations to address the global pandemic.
“For 35 years, Anthony has dedicated nearly his entire professional life to serving the students, faculty, and staff of Virginia Tech. Capable, trusted, and committed to our critical mission of stewardship through care and service, he is a true Hokie,” said Dwyn Taylor, vice president for facilities. “Though they may not realize it, three decades of Hokies have been positively affected by Anthony’s unwavering dedication to our campus. I look forward to his continued leadership of our Facilities Operations business line within the incredible TechFac team.”
“I am honored to continue my service to the Division of Facilities and university,” said Watson. “I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most dedicated and talented people. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues across the division and the university as we continue to create an environment that supports the success of our students, faculty, and staff."
